|
IKF PAST NEWS | ||
|
HOME - NEWS - EVENTS - RANKINGS - SANCTIONING - JOINING IKF - RULES & REGULATIONS - MERCHANDISE - ISCF |
| ||||||
WEDNESDAY, April 30th, 2003, AT 9:45 PM, PST
|
|
|
Results From The "SHOWDOWN"
In
Waterloo!
IKF Waterloo, Iowa, USA: IKF and ISCF Promoters Russ O'Connell and Roger Tompkins are pleased to report in with yet another great show in Waterloo Iowa. Here are the bout results below.
For more info on this event please contact Mr. Russ O'Connell at (319) 233-8975 or by e-mail at Tkdoc07@aol.co
MORE NEWS OF 4-30-03
|
|
|
Salmon's Moat House Hotel, Etruria
"RESULTS"
Stoke On Trent, England
IKF England, Sunday, 27th April, 2003: What a great show in a great venue. The show was a dinner show and when the spectators completed an excellent meal they were in for a great dessert of action packed kickboxing. Humbert Salmon is a new promoter with IKF, but is experienced at putting on excellent shows.
The night commenced with 2 excellent junior demonstrations by
Jamie Mountford, Burslam Kickboxing Vs Steven Keeling,
Cheadle Kickboxing and
Scott Ashton, Burslam Kickboxing Vs Joe
Bennett, Burslam Kickboxing.
Moumtford & Ashton had
originally been matched for bouts, but due to late notification of their
opponents pulling out, they were given the opportunity to show their skills and
did a great job!
Here are the Results of the nights bouts:
Excellent Demonstration by Stoke TaeKwonDo who entertained the crowd during the interval. A special thank you must be given to the sponsors of the show, who help make these events happen. DVB Moble Phones; Autotec Japanese Import; Catering Alliance; Weir Engineering; Co-op Travel; LIB Ceramics; Burslam Car Test Centre, Imperial Cars, Stoke. The IKF Officials were Leon Kelly, Conny Brown, Clive Tennant, Lisa Beaney, Mike Fowles, Jacqui Thompson, and Alby Bimpson.
MORE NEWS OF 4-30-03
In Reference To Our News
Posted Earlier Today
IKF
President Steve Fossum
Earlier today we posted an article below reminding fighters,
trainers and promoters about the safety regulation rule in regards to knockouts
suffered by a ring sport fighter. However on the
Kickboxing
Message Board, someone accused me and the IKF
of posting it only to HURT another tournament scheduled before the
IKF USA
Nationals.
The posting person (Who
didn't leave a name which is ok) wrote (Spelling errors left);
April 30, 2003: "The whole reason Steve posted the important notice is to discourage fighters from fighting in the KICK North American tournament in Vegas. What is he afraid of? Why is he afraid? I guess we should only play in the IKF sand box. That is why kickboxing is in the state it is in. Nobody works together. Steve we appriciate your hard work you are the reason there is a kickboxing revival in american.I understand saftey but in years past no such notice. With KICK's arrival now a notice.HMMM"
Although some of you may think this was just a rule we here at the IKF just made up, I thought it best to bring your attention to a list that the sport of BOXING follows to see if a fighter is under any medical suspension for the same reason. To review the PRO Boxing Suspension list, I ask you to click HERE! Unlike boxing, we in kickboxing do not have a company such as "Fight Fax" that keeps track of "EVERY" pro boxer. As for amateur boxing, I'm sure if you contact someone at www.usaboxing.org they would be able to explain this same safety rule for mandatory suspensions due to KO or TKO.
The poster ahead claims that we are afraid of the KICK organization. Not sure how they came to that conclusion but they did. With this being said, maybe a few facts should be important here. Nearly every amateur fighter and promoter who reads the IKF pages here knows the IKF USA Nationals has been scheduled in August since February 6th, 2003. Those who know the rules and regulations of the sport also know the rule and regulation in regards to a medical suspension due to a TKO and or KO. Since KICK is a "Sanctioning Body" they should also know this. One would expect them to know this, why? I'd like to direct everyone to the following page posted on the Kickboxing Message Board found HERE. On the page, the person posting the message (futureman) notes who heads up the KICK organization. Among them the writer says, and I quote:
"The chairman is Don Hull, member of the Olympic Hall of Fame, past Member of the International Olympic Committee for 23 years, past President of USA Boxing, Past President of International Amateur Boxing Association, and past President of International Olympic Committee for 8 years." The writer went on to write: "Powerful people with a powerful vision. Mark my words a year from you will see all organizations work together. This is Frank Babcocks goal and a noble one."
Ok, so the facts speak for themselves here. Now to the point and stay with me here. It's clear with the info above that Mr. Hull has been involved with Amateur Boxing on both the USA as well as the INTERNATIONAL level and with the USOC (United States Olympic Committee) and the ISOC (International Olympic Committee). Knowing this, my point here will be simple to establish. Are you, (The poster above) trying to say that Mr. Hull does not know a rule that has been in amateur and pro boxing as well as kickboxing for YEARS "AND" is a mandatory established safety rule in Olympic Amateur Boxing? Lets don't play naive here everyone. Of course he does! Remember this as I continue.
It goes without saying that if you are a part of a sport, it's your job and "RESPONSIBILITY" to KNOW the sport. This would also mean that if the KICK organization were following the proper safety procedures for ring contact sports, as every good sanctioning body should in regards to medical suspension for KO and TKO's, that they too would follow such a rule. In addition, since their "Chairman" Mr. Don Hull has had such VAST experience in amateur boxing, he should know this regulation without question. We also know from talking to others that KICK (Frank Babcock) had full knowledge of the 2003 IKF USA National Amateur Tournament at least a month ahead of time before they scheduled their event. With this being said, if any of you want to point a finger at anyone, ask KICK "WHY" they, out of the blue, with no prior warning, scheduled their event within this 45 day timeline prior to the IKF USA Nationals?
Who knows, maybe they felt they could care less about the fighters that might get stopped by KO or TKO at their event. Maybe they didn't care about the IKF USA Nationals Finals at all. In their defense, it's not their responsibility to worry when our event is or anyone else's for that matter. We will not go as far as to say they did this on purpose because to do so would be an insult and we have no desire to insult anyone here. Sure, they could have scheduled their tournament in June which would have easily been outside the 45 day suspension time. But they didn't and because of this, we are discussing all of this today to "WARN" all the amateur fighters and trainers of the issues related to all these events that they have opportunities to be a part of.
No one here at the IKF is
telling or demanding anyone not to fight at any event be it the KICK tournament,
WKA tournament, ISKA, ABC, John Doe or Superman! The choices for you, the
amateur
fighters and trainers this year are many.
This excites all of us in the sport. It is going to be a personal choice those
amateur fighters and their trainers will be free to make. Sure we want to see
all of you at the IKF
USA Nationals. However, we know this is not possible due to the cost of
travel and all.
What we do want is for all of you to have CHOICES. As we all
know, competition makes us all better at what we do, not just fighters. If we
were the only tournament, we may not feel we
need to get better every year.
However, every year before this year, even without competition, we have improved
the IKF USA
National Amateur Tournament GREATLY. This year will be no different. The
venue is much nicer, the awards are more and of course, every champion will
receive the IKF
USA National Champions Title Belt valued at over $200.00 (L& R).
Even the juniors ages 8 to 17 (Below right).
All of these
improvements have been made possible due to the GREAT TEAMWORK of those
involved. From each and every fighter, trainer and official to the Regional
Promoters, all offer something to make this event as great as it is. As I have
said many times and someone else said on the message board, "The IKF
Nationals is bigger than the IKF now." So true were these words. Simply
put, "KICKBOXING is greater than ANY SANCTIONING BODY!"
As far as their never being such a notice (45 Day Medical/Safety
Suspension for TKO/KO Stops!) in past years, this is not true. We
have always made this an issue through all of the regional
events. This is why "ALL" of our regional
seeding events are scheduled to be done by the end of June. Which is 45 days
prior to the 
2003
IKF USA National Amateur Finals. This
is so if someone does get stopped at a regional,
it doesn't take them out of the USA National Finals
Tournament. Remember everyone, no matter where you fight or for what
letters, as the saying goes in martial arts, so it goes in our sport,
"The belt doesn't make the man or woman,
the
man or woman makes the belt!"
We wish all the promoters success on their events, whatever the letters, wherever the events are. Hopefully we will see more and more fighters at the IKF USA Nationals, but at least now you all have some choices. So good luck to all of you and we look forward to reading how you did at these events on our new Kickboxing Message Board Remember, it is not an IKF Message Board, it's a
MORE NEWS OF
4-30-03
POSTED AT 10:55 AM, PST
Important Notice To
Amateur Fighters, Trainers &
Promoters!
Be
Aware Of The
45 Day Medical/Safety Suspension
For TKO/KO Stops!
Dear Amateur Fighters, Trainers and Promoters,
This post is
to remind you of a very important IKF
Kickboxing rule and regulation in regards to fighters who are stopped prior to
the end of a bouts scheduled time (KO, TKO).
Keep in mind we have the IKF USA National Amateur Championship Tournament scheduled for August 15, 16 and 17. This means, no fighters attending the Nationals should fight "45" days PRIOR to the event. This would mean ANY event on or after July 1st, 2003. This is because "IF" the fighter were to get stopped (KO/TKOed) they would be ineligible to fight at the Nationals due to the mandatory 45 day medical suspension rule.
This posting is so you can all be aware of this safety regulation and for you to keep this in mind as you think of booking events or fights after July 1st, 2003 due to the IKF USA Nationals. However, if you are a promoter and you do book an event inside this 45 day time period, please keep in mind that it would be best not to book amateur fighters who plan to attend the IKF USA Nationals in August. To remind you again, promoters, trainers and fighters, if you do, and they/you are stopped in the bout prior to the scheduled end of the bout by KO or TKO, they/you will not be able to fight at the August IKF USA National Finals.
For information regarding the mandatory 45 day suspension rule for TKO/KO please click HERE! For more info on the National Finals please click HERE!
TUESDAY, April 29th, 2003, AT 2:30 PM, PST
|
|
|
Finney Team
Ready For More Action At
"Midwest Fight Fest"
St. Louis, Missouri, USA: Once again
the 2002 Amateur Promoter of the Year, from St.
Louis, Missouri, Jesse
Finney, (Right) has put together a fight card that is
going to be anything less than exciting. On Saturday May 3rd, Lucky's on the Landing will be packed and ready for
the "Midwest Fight Fest". There will be 8 IKF and 3 ISCF sanctioned fights on the card.
opponent will be Sara Schneider,
of Kansas City, Missouri.
As in all fight cards as the
night goes by the fights get better. Rounding out the first half of the nights
action, is "Little" Matt Taff. His opponent is Brian
Foundstep, of Topeka, Kansas. Make no judgments about a nickname like "little."
Taff is only 16 yrs old, but can fight and hit like a 10 year veteran.
Finney's he has
extended his experience. An International Rules fighter by trait, he has started
fighting more FCR over the last couple years. His opponent is Micheal
Johnson, from Topeka, Kansas. Both of these fighters will be out looking for
a big win.
Finney's for the
last 6 months. He has been training with stand up as well as the ground. He is
coming off a disappointing loss, and is looking to show everyone that he has
what it takes in the ring. His opponent is Grant Hartwig, from Kansas
City, Missouri. Hartwig is coming from a grappling background and also
has been training on his stand up.The final bout will showcase Kevin "The Hitman" Engel and Frank Nyguen.
Nyguen is from Grand Rapids, Michigan. He has a 11-0 record, and has fought most of his fights with the USKBA. Engel will be looking to extend his winning streak, and also to show the Kickboxing world that he is one of the Best around.
This is sure to be yet another exciting fight card from St. Louis! If you have never been to one, you need to pack your bags and make the trip! For more info please contact Mr. Jesse Finney at (314) 351-5226 or by e-mail by clicking: HERE or visit their website at www.FinneysKickboxing.com
Special
IKF Note:
Remember those 2 special bouts that had Marc
Mayfield of the Finney gym matched up
with that fighter named Bobby Dixon (Right) for Finney's
July 12th fight card and Dixon's fighter Robert Bailey scheduled
to fight Jesse Finney? Well, if you've been reading the news here, you
may remember that earlier this month Dixon had agreed to fight Finney
which was provoked by some attacks Dixon was taking on the
Kickboxing
Message Board about his record (Which he claims to be 31-1). In
addition, his credibility was also in question in regards to who his opponents
have been to amass such an impressive record.
His acceptance of the fight with Finney was quickly posted on April 10th, praising Dixon of his desire to "Step up to the plate and prove himself." However it didn't take long (1 Day) before someone blew the whistle on Dixon and informed us here at the IKF that he had fought as a Pro Boxer which makes him a "PRO" fighter. Dixon didn't just have 1 pro bout and it "slipped his mind." He had 3 pro fights and a 2-1 record.
When Dixon was exposed, he made the call to Finney
to cancel the fight which was a surprise to us here at the IKF. We thought he would just do to Finney
as he did with Promoters Dan and Tim Stell a few years back. Dan
Stell matched Dixon to fight, now 
IKF
Pro World Champion Dave Marinoble (Left, 17-1-2 with 8 KO/TKO's)
who was the IKF US Champion back then. On
that card, Dixon had 2 plane tickets from Orlando Florida to Reno Nevada
and never even boarded the plane. In fact, to this day he has never returned a
phone call or refunded the Stell brothers their money for the tickets.
This is just another sad story.
According to sources interviewed after the fact, Dixon
is a fighter who built an impressive fight record fighting untrained fighters in
bar promotions he did himself. To this day, the only bout we know of where he
fought an actual trained opponent was his loss, when both were amateurs, to
current
IKF Pro FCR Welterweight United States Champion
Eric Marshall (Right - 37-5 with
23 wins by KO/TKO) of Bradenton, Florida, USA about 6 years ago. We had
hoped this would be a chance for all of us to see Dixon in action and
see if his 31-1 "AMATEUR" record he claims is as good as the number.
However as of now, it remains a mystery.
AND... Remember the fighter Robert Bailey who was scheduled to fight Jesse Finney on the the same upcoming Finney fight card? Well, earlier this month if you remember we reported that although Bailey and his trainer (Dixon) reported Bailey's fight record as 17-2-1, we found he has a minimum of 3 losses, not 2. As far as those 17 wins, no one seems to know where he got them all. We can only verify about 5 at most. But we won't get a chance to see if he's all he's been promoted to be either. Dixon pulled him off the Finney card as well.
MORE NEWS OF 4-29-03
|
|
|
Shush
Makes Noise At SFO IX In
Macon Georgia USA!
Hollywood's
Knee Makes A Worse Noise!
Macon, Georgia, USA: IKF and ISCF
promoter, Matthew "Mr.
Shush" Waller, (Left) is please with the results of this
last weekends Submission Fighting Open IX,
on Saturday night, April 26 in Macon, Georgia.
With plenty of IKF Kickboxing and ISCF Mixed Martial Arts, Submission Fighting Open IX, had enough explosive action for everyone! Here's the nights results below from the action packed event!
Bout 9, ISCF 170 under MMA Finals:
Justin Dunn defeated Ran Weathers.
For more information, contact Mr. Waller at Gauntletprods@cox.net or (478) 475-1092.
MORE NEWS OF 4-29-03
|
|
|
K-1
Comes
To America This Weekend!
K-1
Elimination: Eight Men Enter, One Man Survives!
Las
Vegas, Nevada, USA: K-1 USA is proud to announce it's 3rd year in
Las Vegas. Although titled K-1 "USA", the name only indicates the
actual location of the event. The fighters are from North America which includes
USA, Canada and Mexico.
This years competition will be staged in the 8,000 seat Mirage Event Center. In addition to the return of 2002 K-1 USA champion Michael McDonald of Vancouver, Canada, this years card will also feature IKF Pro IR World Champion Rick "The Jet" Roufus and former IKF Amateur Champions Carter Williams of Modesto, California, USA and Giuseppe DeNatale of Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada. On the schedule for the superfights will be IKF Pro San Shou World Champion Cung Le! To read all about this event see the special IKF K-1 News Page by clicking HERE!
MORE NEWS OF 4-29-03
|
|
|
Ultimate Battle Night
Excites
PACKED HOUSE!
Kwame Stephens, IKF
Representative Utah
Sandy Utah, USA: IKF and ISCF Promoter Mr. Griffin Reynaud put on
a great show last Thursday night, April 24th, with a packed house at Sandy Station. The fighters and audience were
greeted with a great atmosphere and wonderful food. The nights results were as
follows:
Bout
5: IKF Amateur MuayThai: Mickee
Porritt (175) defeated Ben Moore (175) by KO round 2This was an Excellent production with more to come in the
future. Reynaud's next event is scheduled for May 8th, in Sandy, Utah,
USA at the Sandy Station, 8925 South - 255
West, Sandy Utah. For Tickets call (801) 352-8032.
For more info call (801)
273-0772 or go to
www.northstarnetworks.net.
MONDAY, April 28th, 2003, AT 7:00 PM, PST
|
|
|
Ramsey's"Rumble
On The Hill"
Is Indeed, A RUMBLE!
Sheppard &
Doucet Wage WAR For Vacant IKF
Pro North American Super Heavyweight Title!
By Brooks Mason
IKF West Virginia, USA: When I flew into Charleston, West Virginia and looked down on the green rolling hills, I had no idea what I was in for. I had heard about the Dawg House of course because of fighter George Randolph (IKF Pro FCR Super Heavyweight Ranked & MMA Fighter) but I was in the dark about the quality of the other fighters or Mr. Ramsey's abilities as a trainer or promoter. No more!!
To begin with, West Virginia is the home of one of our war heroes and rescued POW Jessica Lynch. Her safety and well being graced many conversations and the love of the West Virginia people for one of their own was genuine and heart felt. Paul with the Advantage Gym picked me up and the drive to the event took about an hour and a half. We were headed back in the hills to Glenville. I swear to God I thought I heard banjos. Glenville is a beautiful college town nestled in the hills and oh yeah, they love the fights. I thought I had been to fight towns but this past weekend, in the hills of West Virginia, I found "Fight Town USA".
The event was in a college basketball auditorium and to say it was packed would be to say Steve Fossum loves to talk. There were 15 amateur and 4 professional fights on the card. The card was mostly boxing with three kickboxing bouts placed throughout and as the main event. Promoter Leon Ramsey donated all the proceeds to the local college football team. Yes, he gave all the money to charity and still had four pro fights. Just hang on it gets better.
Although I would say IKF Promoter Jessie Finney has the most beautiful ring girls in the world, they now have some competition. 5 of the prettiest women you have ever seen wearing the least you could imagine pulled ring card duty at this fight. Wait, it gets better. Talking to the boxing commissioner and head referee for the fight, Paul Thornton, I found out he is a city councilman and vice mayor of Vienna. Impressive as that was the alternate referee and the judge sitting next to me was the Mayor, David Nohe. The whole damn city is involved. Let's get to the fights.
First I would like to say the boxing bouts were spectacular but you are not hear to read about that.
Steve Neal of Charleston, West Virginia versus Ramon
Rosario of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Neal is trained by Warren O'Malley
and Rosari is trained by Mark "The Shark" Miller.
Round 1: Neal and Rosario shared the
experience of their first fight. With the level of aggression from both fighters
and the slugfest in the middle of the ring, you knew someone was going down. It
was Rosario. In the corner between rounds you could hear Mark Miller
working hard to calm his fighter and give him direction. Neal looked
more composed and proved it early in the second round sending Rosario to
the canvas for the first of three visits. Neal showed good kicking
skills once he calmed down and Rosario showed enormous heart in getting
up after some heavy shots. Both fighters learned a great deal with Neal
learning how a victory feels. Neal by TKO in the
second round.
Scheduled as fight #16 on the night between Chris Allhouse
of Pennsylvania versus Tyson Shahan of Glenville, West Virginia.
Allhouse is trained by Mark Miller and Shahan is trained by Leon
Ramsey.
Round #1: Shahan came to
the fight with a bit more boxing experience but little if any kickboxing
experience. You would have never guessed. Trained by Ramsey, Shahan
looked as if he had kicked to the legs his entire life. Landing a shin to the
left thigh of Allhouse that set the tone for the fight.
Allhouse had good leg kicks also but simply could not get on tract with
the more aggressive Shahan. Shahan took round one.
Round #2: Shahan came out strong and dropped Allhouse
early. Allhouse rose to the call and gamely fought back but Shahan
was too strong and his leg kicks too well aimed for Allhouse to
mount any real offense.
Round #3: The
third round played the same show with Shahan going for a knockout and
sending
Allhouse to the canvas early in the round again. Allhouse looked
to his corner from the canvas with a beaten look on his face and he got simple
words from a great fighter, "GET UP". Allhouse rose to
his feet and weathered the storm laid on him by Shahan. Shahan proved he
can win. Allhouse proved he is a fighter.
LET THE WAR BEGIN!
Main Event: IKF Pro FCR
North American Title Bout: Mike Sheppard of Palestine, West Virginia Versus
Raoul Doucet of Montreal, Canada. Sheppard is trained by Leon
Ramsey while Doucet is trained by Johnny Mucciarone
Round #1:
Having seen Doucet fight briefly in Casper, Wyoming, I knew he could
punch. Seconds into the first round I found out he could kick as well. We could
have thrown the kick cards away as both fighters accented their combinations
with kicks and used their legs to close the gap. A certain amount of feeling out
took place with both fighters landing some good shots. Sheppard landed a
right that may well have earned him the round.
Round
#2: Both fighters picked up the pace so heavy, you would have thought
it was a five round fight instead of ten. Sheppard showed the start of
his tremendous aggression and landed some telling combo's on Doucet. Doucet,
using a
Don Wilson type of slip and slide defense, was cable to avoid any
serious damage but Sheppard clearly took the round.
Round #3: Sheppard met Doucet in the center
of the ring with the clear intent of domination for another round. Doucet
had other plans. Stepping to his right, the left handed Doucet set Sheppard
up for a beautiful left leg roundhouse to the head. Sheppard stepped
back and showed signs of being hurt. Doucet came on with a left hook
that sent Sheppard to the canvas. Sheppard struggled to his feet
and tried to clear the cobwebs by mounting an attack of his own. Doucet
timed the attack and caught Sheppard several times in the midsection
with strong left leg body shots.
Doucet wins the round.
Round #4: Sheppard comes out strong but soon shows
he is not over the knockdown and
Doucet begins to set the pace. Backing Sheppard close to his
corner, Doucet catches him with a straight left that sends him south for
the count. Sheppard makes the count and continues to wrestle the reigns
from Doucet. Doucet would have none of it and unleashes a left hook that
literally drives Sheppard into the ropes and to the canvas. I knew the
fat lady was ready to sing because there was no way Sheppard would get
up. You guessed it. Sheppard made the count and lasted the round. Doucet
is way ahead with three knockdowns to his credit and a weakened Sheppard.
Leon Ramsey had his hands full with this one.
Round
#5: I don't know what Ramsey said but the ass chewing must
have worked. Sheppard came out at the bell with a purpose and a plan.
The fight we all thought was over was just beginning. Using more lateral
movement to cut off the ring, Sheppard corner Doucet and dished
out some damage of his own. Doucet made it to the bell but went to the
corner stunned and obviously weakened.
Round #6: Doucet and Sheppard
could not have been separated by a breath during the entire round. The battle
these two men endured sent the crowd to it's feet and the corners to work at the
bell. Ramsey had his hands full with a now badly swollen left eye and
cut and battered nose. Mucciarone was intent on a strategy to keep
Sheppard from wrestling this fight away after Doucet built such
a lead with the three knockdowns. The crowd did not get up to get a soda and we
all waited for the bell to ring.
Round #7: Sheppard exploded out of the corner at the
bell and caught Doucet with a right that obvious stunned him. Doucet
got on his toes and with some well-timed counterpunches was able to work through
the fog. Sheppard was too much for him however and it seemed as though
the tide was turning. Both men were hurt during this round but Sheppard
seemed to do more.
Round #8: I would
have bet the farm that this fight would have been over by now but both men
answered the bell. Both men still wanted the fight. Both men brought all they
had to bear. The roar of the crowd drowned out all other sound, all thought, all
movement. We watched in amazement as two men showed us what heart and
determination is about. We watched a Canadian and an American battle until we
stopped the round, not them. Every blow was answered, every movement countered,
every ounce of strength used. The bell was more of a relief for the crowd than
the fighters and we had two rounds to go.
Round #9:
Doucet answered the bell for round nine with a fresh look about him. His
trainer Johnny Mucciarone had done his job and done it well. Doucet's
hit and move strategy obviously took it's toll on Sheppard and we saw
the beginning of the end. Doucet seemed to get stronger as the round
progressed. Sheppard's injuries from the earlier rounds must have made
it very difficult for Ramsey to keep him in the fight. The body shots
from Doucet left leg and the brutality of the fight in general was
taking it's toll. Sheppard was losing ground.
Round #10: Round ten is where IR fighters can win a
World Title. No one goes past 10 but the FCR fighters. Round ten is only 2
rounds short of the requirements for a FCR world title. Round ten is for men and
women of character, good training and heart. Round ten is where we are and both
men answer the bell. Round ten was exactly what it was suppose to be. One man
knew he had to win it. One man knew he had to hold on. It was a war.
Doucet was clear and concise. He seemed to draw strength from Sheppard's
endless aggression. Both fighters took tremendous punishment but Doucet
took the round. The bell was a relief for us all. You can only take so much and
we had seen all we could handle. Raoul Doucet is the new IKF Professional Super Heavyweight Champion of North
America.
This was the Best ten round fight I have seen in the last ten years. The best two super heavyweight fighters in the world stepped in to the ring. The toughest fighters I have ever seen stepped out. These two men deserve to fight for a world title. To leave the title vacant because a promoter cannot afford to bring someone from Europe is a shame and a crime. Let one of them win it and let the Europeans bring them over there. Well, my thanks to Leon Ramsey, Paul Thornton and the great people of Glenville. This is Brooks Mason coming to you from the Emerald Mongoose Muay Thai Camp in Omaha, Nebraska. The Home of Kickboxing.
MORE ON THIS EVENT...
By: Butch Hiles Advanced BKJ
IKF Promoter Leon Ramsey hosted one of the best kickboxing match of the year on April 25th, in Glenville, West Virginia, USA! Ramsey's "Rumble On The Hill" featured the IKF Pro FCR North American Super Heavyweight Title bout between number 4 IKF World Ranked Mike Sheppard of Glenville, West Virginia, USA Vs number 5 IKF Ranked Raoul Doucet of Moncton, New - Brunswick, Canada.
This match put an explosive end to an already action packed night of fights. With 25 amateur and professional boxing and kickboxing fights, the sold out arena could not have asked for more when Sheppard and Doucet entered the ring. From the outset of the match Sheppard and Doucet fought their hearts out. Sheppard had the dominance with his punches but Doucet had the upper hand with his powerful kicks. The match seemed to be fairly even until Sheppard caught a hard shin kick to the head with one minute left in the third round. He was clearly out on his feet as he fell to the ground. Unbelievably, he rose to his feet at the count of nine as the crowd screamed for him to get up.
Doucet knew he had to seize the opportunity and he
jumped back on Sheppard as soon as the ref gave him the go ahead. With
nearly one minute left in the round, Sheppard was able to weather the
storm, survive the round, and stumble to his corner at the end of the round.
Seeing Sheppard slumped over in the corner, Doucet knew that he
had to come out hard in the next round and try to finish the fight.
As the
next round started, Sheppard courageously mounted a come back. He
unleashed left hooks and right hands that stumbled Doucet and had him on
his heels. However, still dazed from the knockdown in round three, Sheppard
caught a right hook on the top of his head that nearly put him out of the ring
as he slid under the ropes. Once again, Sheppard picked himself back up
and wobbled to his feet. The two men continued to dish out punishment to one
another until Doucet caught Sheppard with a straight right with
five seconds remaining in the round, but this time he hit the canvas face first.
Laying motionless as the referee counted, it looked as if the fight was over.
However, at the count of six Sheppard started to stir. The crowd, who
were all on their feet, chanted, "USA, USA, USA!" Perhaps giving Sheppard
the extra energy to rise to his feet, he finally made it up at the count of
nine. With the referee's approval Sheppard was sent back to his corner
to come back for another round.
Once again the next round saw Sheppard weathering and
early assault by Doucet only to come back and have Doucet hurt
and in trouble. With the fighters fueling the crowd and the crowd fueling the
fighters, the two battled, punched, and kicked one another from one side of the
ring to the other. The fifth round proved the heart, guts, and desire that Mike
Sheppard possessed.
The fight never had a dull moment, as the two
fighters literally gave it all they had each and every round. The bout's
climactic end came in the tenth and final round. Sheppard needed a
knockout to win but Doucet did not play it safe. Showing that they are
both warriors, the two fought it out until the final bell. There were many times
when it looked as if Sheppard might pull the fight out but Doucet
refused to go down. Each time he was hit or wobbled he would some how throw back
another punch or kick that would stop Sheppard's assault.
The fight
ended with Raoul Doucet being declared the new IKF
Pro FCR North American Super Heavyweight Champion, and both fighters getting a
huge standing ovation. On this night, both men were winners. Raoul Doucet
captured the IKF title and Mike
Sheppard found something within himself that he probably did not know he
had. This was one outstanding and amazing fight put on by two true warriors.
There is a rematch already planned but I am sure these to warriors will need
plenty of time to heal and recover. If you hear of these two fighting in the
future, make sure you don't miss it. Even if it's half as good as the first one,
it is sure to be one of the best fights you will ever see!
MORE NEWS OF 4-28-03
|
|
|
Burnsed
Takes IKF California Title In Fairfield!
Photos By Sharon Bedal
Fairfield, California, USA: IKF Promoters Tim and Dan Stell had
their hands full this past Saturday in Fairfield. Before weigh-ins matchmaker
Dan Stell had 18 bouts matched and 3 IKF
Title bouts. When the weigh-ins were over, the nights card had melted down to 12
bouts with only 1 of them being a title bout. A title that Derrick Burnsed
(Right, with trainer Dave Marinoble) of Citrus Heights, California, USA
ended up winning. Full story below.
However, the action was plenty as the crowd at the Allen Wit Sports Complex was not denied some great fights! More on what happened to the other title bouts at the end of this article but here's the results of the undercard bouts:
MAIN
EVENT: IKF Amateur FCR Super Middleweight
California Title: After an explosive first round where he threw 16
kicks, Derrick Burnsed of Citrus Heights, California, USA (Right with
trainers, 4-1/0, 170, 5'9", 22, 6-9-80, Dave Marinoble) slowed down in
round 2 only scoring 6 kicks. On the other side of the ring his opponent, Bobby
Barnes of Santa Rosa, California, USA (3-2/0, 167, 5'11", 26, 4-21-77,
Dan Behl) had a good pace in rounds 1 and 2 scoring 9 and 10 kicks. However as
round 3 came around, both fighters seemed to tire greatly (odd for two
fighters who are suppose to be ready for a 4 round title shot). In round 3,
Barnes barley made his 6 kick minimum as Burnsed managed 10. In
round 4, Barnes lost a point for missed kicks when he only scored 3 to
Burnsed's 12. The strong kick scores in the final round helped Burnsed
become the new Champion of the vacant IKF
California Title as he defeated Barnes by unanimous decision 39-36,
40-35 and 39-36. Burnsed had some Champions in his corner as others did
on the night which included IKF
Pro FCR World Champion Dave Marinoble and his brother,
IKF Amateur
Champion Mike Marinoble.THE SAD SIDE OF THIS EVENT
Those
here who have been fighters and trainers know that there is a need to be
professional in your actions. We can't count the number of times we as members
of the IKF have been given compared praise
to those in other sports like Boxing. In Kansas City the kickboxers were praised
for their professionalism and respectful attitudes towards everyone as compared
to the amateur boxers at their boxing national tournament the week before our
2001 IKF USA
Nationals event in Kansas City. Although both groups stayed at the same
hotel, they didn't leave it the same way. While the IKF
Kickboxers left the hotel in great shape with no reported problems of vandalism,
the boxers vandalized a lot of the hotel and treated the staff with very little
respect. Although it was a surprise to the hotel it was no surprise to us as we
have always witnessed a more professional and respectful attitude with those
involved in kickboxing.
As trainers, we know we must maintain an attitude of respect for those we deal with and strive to set good examples for others. It is our duty to set good examples for our fighters so they will carry on with this in their futures as well. It is also the duty and responsibility of a trainer to know everything about the bout that they agree to match their fighter into. It is with these points that make not just a good trainer but a respected one as well. Those who may not follow these concepts not only set bad examples to those around them but also give our sport a bad name to those who witness such actions.
Such was the issue at this weekends LTD Productions event last Saturday in Fairfield, California, USA. On the card, Mike Marinoble of Roseville, California was scheduled to fight Hector Gutierez of Santa Rosa, California for the vacant IKF Amateur IR Heavyweight California title. Gutierrez's fellow fighter, David Denison also of Santa Rosa was scheduled to fight IKF MTR West Coast Champion Maurice Hooks of Modesto, California. All was confirmed after all 4 fighters weighed in. All four fighters ate their lunch provided by LTD Productions and all were ready to "Bring In ON!" That is, until Gutierrez and Denison's trainer, Billy Olsen was reminded that his fighters would be required to wear headgear in accordance to the IKF Rules and Regulations for Amateur Fighters.
Olsen's reply was "We were never told they had to wear headgear." This attitude has been common with several amateur trainers and fighters in the state of California. Mainly due to the neglect of the rule by other organizations who don't require fighters to wear it. Why? Well, it all started when several promoters wanted their fights to all appear as if they are Pro bouts, especially those promoters doing events that are on any form of TV. A good example of such organizations is the ISKA. On the ISKA website, under their rules found HERE, it says (Under: 6. AMATEUR MATCHES): "All amateur fighters are required to wear approved headguards, shinguards and foot pads, in addition to standard equipment." However, the ISKA has NEVER enforced their own rule. Why? We just told you above.
Because of the non enforcement of this safety rule here in California, it has left many fighters and trainers simply thinking that the rule applies on every fight card in the state. However, the IKF is the only organization that "DOES" enforce this safety rule of headgear not just here in California but everywhere! However, this issue didn't even get to the mandatory IKF rule because the California State Athletic Commission has their own rule about headgear. Strangely enough though, even the California Commission does not require headgear for amateur fighters with more than 3 fights. It's strange an Athletic Commission will not enforce a safety rule, but they don't. That is, unless you have 3 or less fights.
According the the California State Commission, if an amateur kickboxer has 3 bouts or less they are required to wear headgear. On the books, the California Commission only had Denison down as having 1 bout in California. Denison and his trainer Olsen said he had fought in Nevada and on several Indian Reservations and had compiled a record of 5 wins, 5 loses with 3 wins by KO/TKO. This was the record matchmaker Dan Stell had went with when qualifying Denison for his title with Champion Maurice Hooks. However, the commission had to go by his actual number of recorded bouts which was only 1. In addition, Denison's training partner, Gutierrez only had 1 bout as well on the commission records as compared to his stated 2-0 record. Earlier in the week his trainer, Olsen told Stell and the IKF his record was 3-1.
Regardless, it was clear now that both Denison and Gutierrez had to wear headgear. Hooks and Marinoble knew that headgear was mandatory having fought on IKF Sanctioned events before and their trainers, Gene Fields and Dave Marinoble, had inquired to Stell to confirm the rule weeks before. Now Olsen was telling the IKF, Stell and the Commission that since his fighters had to wear headgear, they would probably pull off the card.
With this response, the Commission informed them that since they had already went through weigh-ins, to do so would result in a fighter suspension. Knowing this, Gutierrez agreed to fight with the headgear but this clearly upset Denison who in turn, gave a medical reason why he could not fight with headgear. "The headgear makes my head hot and due to some past injuries with my nose, the heat causes my nose to bleed." Denison explained. "If I know I have to wear headgear weeks in advance I can prepare my nose to accept the heat and to avoid the nose bleed." Although we have never heard of such a thing, at least he had a good explanation for his reasons. Still, the Commission placed him on suspension.
Next, Denison, (who was very professional and respectful during all this) went forward with questioning the Commission how the suspension could be lifted and both the Commission and IKF President Steve Fossum started to explain to him what he would need to do. However, during all this, Denison's trainer Billy Olsen choose to be extremely disrespectful to the Commission and Fossum. At one point, he even had the nerve to tell Fossum, "I'm not afraid of you. You think your some high and might IKF man. I could care less about the IKF. I'm not one of your IKF cronies that do what you say." Now keep in mind Olsen is 5'6" and only 118 lbs so his actions towards Fossum or anyone were a disrespectful insult at best, no threat. After hearing enough, the Commission interrupted Olsen during one of his insulting comments and suspended him indefinitely to ever work a fighters corner as a trainer in any state, California or even Nevada. This was important since Olsen kept bragging to everyone all day how his fighter Denison has a K-1 contract and was turning Pro on the August K-1 in Nevada. Olsen kept bringing up, "I don't need this, I make a hundred thousand dollars a year, this is nothing to me." Such action implies that Olsen thinks he's too good to help his own fighters fulfil their own dreams.
After Olsen was suspended, now his other fighter, Gutierrez, was told he would not have Olsen in his corner for his fight. Dan Stell asked George Tsutsui, a trainer well known to Olsen and his fighters who actually trains with them, if he could corner for him. Tsutsui said sure, but Gutierrez and Olsen said no. When Olsen got suspended, this was the excuse he needed not to fight with headgear against Marinoble. Instead, Olsen was heard outside the venue calling the Commission and the IKF as many foul things as he could. However, few cared what he had to say because everyone else there had no problem wearing headgear and they came to FIGHT, not complain. When Olsen pulled Gutierrez out, Stell made it clear "I will never have any of Billy's fighters fight on one of our events again, EVER!" As well we will never see Olsen again on any IKF sanctioned event either. Although we would be proud to have fighters like Denison become an IKF Champion and Gutierrez as well, the truth is, neither will be if they continue to have Olsen in their corner.
MORE NEWS OF 4-28-03
|
|
|
Bimpson &
Team Impress Many
With Great IKF Title Bout!
IKF England: Alby Bimpson
and IKF England brought the IKF to the attention of many at a major annual
Martial Arts show on Saturday, April 26th in Birmingham England. Bimpson
and his team organized 2 excellent IKF
Amateur fighters who competed for the vacant IKF
Amateur MuayThai Rules England Heavyweight Title. The bout was exciting and well
received by a crowd from all styles of Martial Arts.
Andy Kipriano of Eltham Thaiboxing in London
England faced John Reynolds of Kirkby Thaiboxing in Liverpool.
No disrespect to the other Martial Arts who put on great demonstrations, but
none of the others featured an actual live, full contact competition. Respect
has to go to John Reynolds who should have arrived at 12 noon with the
bout scheduled for 2:PM, but due to a major accident on
the motorway was stuck in
the backlog of traffic and did not arrive until 2.30 PM with the bout
rescheduled for 3.30 PM. Both fighters showed excellent technique and control,
both being tough lads, excited the crowd for 5 x 2 minute rounds. The judges
scored a unanimous decision to the New IKF
Amateur Heavyweight Thai Boxing England Champion, Andy Kipriano.
A special thank you to: Lee Wittington who put a lot of hard work into arranging the bout. And not to forget Sponsors, Steve Barrett of Gum Shield Equipment. The IKF officials for the event included Judges Conny Brown, Leon Kelly and Clive Tennant. The Referee duties were handled by IKF International Referee Mick Fowles. DR John Robinson was the ringside doctor. All of these individuals along with IKF Representatives Alby Bimpson and Jacqui Thompson donated their time to aid in this great event for the IKF.
Don't miss the next IKF England event coming up on May 4th, "FIGHT NIGHT" Promoted by Mr. John Rice and Mr. Mark Wilson at Club BARCELONA on Renshaw Street in Liverpool England! Event doors will open at 6:PM with the first bout scheduled to begin at 7:PM. For tickets, in England call: 0151 292 2046.
MORE NEWS OF 4-28-03
|
|
|
CONGRATULATIONS
TO THE NEW VIERRA!
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Hey everyone,
remember Clement and Rhonda Vierra of the
HardKnox Gym
in Phoenix Arizona? Well, Congratulations goes out to them for their new baby
girl!
She was born on Friday at 10:02 PM. She was 7lbs. 2oz and 19 1/2'" long. Her name is Noelani Violet-Marie Vierra.
To send your hello to the Vierra's you can e-mail them at: HARDKNOCKSGYM@aol.com
OTHER
IKF RESULTS
COMING LATER THIS WEEK!
Waterloo, Iowa, USA - Macon, Georgia, USA - Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA
FRIDAY, April 25th, 2003, AT 3:30 PM, PST
DING!
DING!
Let The Action
Begin This Weekend!
|
|
|
Ramsey Ready For
"Rumble On The Hill!"
Sheppard &
Doucet Square Off For the Vacant
IKF Pro North American Super Heavyweight Title!
IKF West Virginia, USA: IKF Promoter Leon Ramsey is all set to host some BIG BOYS tonight, April 25th, in Glenville, West Virginia, USA! Ramsey's "Rumble On The Hill" will feature the IKF Pro FCR North American Super Heavyweight Title bout between number 4 IKF World Ranked Mike Sheppard of Glenville, West Virginia, USA (KB: 10-0-1/9, PROBX: 8-4-1) Vs number 5 IKF Ranked Raoul Doucet of Moncton, New - Brunswick, Canada (PK: 5-1-1/0, AK: 6-0/3).
At 6'2" tall and 228 lbs Sheppard is no small guy
but neither is Doucet at 6'2", 218 lbs. Win or lose we understand
that the two already have a re-match planned a few months later. In the end
their ultimate quest will be for the vacant IKF
Super Heavyweight World Title that has been vacant since Mike Labree of
Roscoe, Illinois, USA (46-2/40, 6'4", 217) retired the title after
his last defense of 
it on
February 3rd, 2001.
LaBree won the title on May 15th, 1999 in Lowell, Massachusetts, USA, when he defeated Kevin Rosier of Buffalo, New York, USA (36-5 with 36 KO's) at 26 seconds into round 10. LaBree caught Rosier with a short left to the head and Rosier went down to his knees and the bout was stopped. Labree defended his title in his retirement bout on February 3rd, 2001 in Hayward, Wisconsin, USA. He won with a 3rd round TKO over #1 contender, George Randolph of Glenville, West Virginia, USA. Randolph is the training partner of Sheppard.
Ranked above these two are 3 fighters who have had a common
history among them. All three have lost to IKF
Heavyweight World Champion Dennis Alexio (Left, 70-2/65, 5'11",
215). 
IKF
number 1 ranked Super Heavyweight Stuart Green of Wolcstershire, England
(23-3/23, 6'2", 253) gave Alexio one of his greatest tests
before falling in defeat. When Alexio fought for the vacant IKF title back on May 31st, 1997 he defeated current
number 2 IKF Ranked Super Heavyweight Barrington
Patterson (Currently 36-2/32, 6'0", 242) of London, England by
TKO at the end of the 5th round in Hawaii, USA.
Alexio defended the title a year later in Sacramento, CA, USA when he defeated number 3 IKF ranked Super Heavyweight Achille Roger (Currently: 52-5/30, 6'3", 220) of France by TKO in the 5th round.
However, we haven't heard much from all 3 of these guys in awhile so the IKF needs to make sure they are even still active. If not, it would certainly change things around in the IKF FCR Super Heavyweight rankings. Oddly enough, if none of them are, and their fight tonight is close, there is a slim outside possibility that we may see Doucet and Sheppard fighting again, but this time, for the IKF World Title. For more info on this event please contact Mr. Leon Ramsey at (304) 462-5744 or e-mail at ramseypetro@rtol.net.
MORE NEWS OF 4-25-03
|
|
|
SHOWDOWN
In
Waterloo!
Promoters O'Connell &
Tompkins Features both Kickboxing and MMA!
IKF Waterloo, Iowa, USA: IKF and ISCF Promoters Russ O'Connell and Roger Tompkins (See below photo) have a winning combination in their region. Plenty of kickboxing fans and some great fighters to please them! O'Connell has a dynamic club/gym in Waterloo that features kickboxing of course, along with martial arts (TaeKwonDo & Grappling) and weight training. The club, Cedar Valley Pro Fitness is exactly what any fighter needs to "Bring It ON!
We've heard some say, "Where the heck is Waterloo, Iowa?" Such a comment informs us that those inquiring just don't get around. Well, neither did we until we visited the 5 Sullivan Convention Center a couple of years back to see yet another surprising HOT SPOT for American Kickboxing! However those who have been there know that in Waterloo, when Kickboxing comes to town one name comes to mind more than anyone, "THUNDER FOOT" Trent Tompkins!
Tompkins (Right
with father Roger on Left and Trainer Russ) of Waterloo, Iowa, USA is 21 now
but he started training with O'Connell at age 10 in TaeKwonDo. He was no
superman or muscleman back then. Tompkins was well out of shape about
160 lbs and maybe 4' tall and as Trent has said, "About 2"
from being a perfect circle." However, at 208, 6'2" Trent
gets to have the last laugh now. He's a lean, mean fighting machine who has
represented the style of TaeKwonDo proudly, a style he can credit his
powerful kicks to. As a Super Heavyweight he knocked out his last two opponents
with spinning hook kicks to the HEAD! He
holds an impressive record of 14 wins and no loses with 8 KO/TKO's and has won
the IKF USA
Nationals and IKF North American Super
Heavyweight Titles. But he's got more than physical skill, Tompkins
currently attends the University of Northern Iowa majoring in Technology
Management holding down a 4.0 GPA.
Tompkins has come down in weight to 208 (Previously fighting at 217) for tomorrow nights bout to fight Jason Ransom of Beloit Wisconsin, USA. Ransom is no push over himself. He's come up in weight from Super Middleweight to weigh-in at 195 and holds a record of 10-2.
However enough of these guys, lets not forget the title bout on the night. It will be in the ISCF Amateur Mixed Martial Arts division when John Hoppes and Corey Musack battle for the vacant ISCF Amateur Midwest Light Middleweight Title. It's sure to be a night of ACTION In WATERLOO, and oh, we almost forgot. If your wondering how many people attend these events in little ol Waterloo? Well at last count, Brooks Mason was witness to well over 1,200 and standing room only when O'Connell and Tompkins put on a show.
So if your looking for some great fights and a great crowd, check out these Iowa boys! There's a reason why the Nationals has been held in Iowa 4 out of the 5 years of it's existence! It's FIGHT COUNTRY! For more info on this event please contact Mr. Russ O'Connell at (319) 233-8975 or by e-mail at Tkdoc07@aol.co
MORE NEWS OF 4-25-03
|
|
|
Stells
Explodes With 3 IKF Titles
At
Fairfield Fight Night!
Fairfield, California,
USA: IKF Promoters Dan
(Left) and Tim Stell of LTD
Productions are not holding back for
their event tomorrow night at the
Allan Witt Sports Complex (Fairfield Sports Center) at
1741 W. Texas Street in Fairfield, California, USA. The two have matched up 3
IKF Amateur titles that is sure to bring
plenty of action to the ring along with an exciting undercard!
The main event will be
for the vacant IKF Amateur California IR
Heavyweight Title when Mike Marinoble (Right) of Roseville. CA
will match up against Hector Guttierez of Santo Rosa, CA.
However before those two "Bring
It ON", IKF
Amateur West Coast MTR Light
Heavyweight Champion Maurice Hooks (Left) of Modesto will defend
his title against Dave Dennison of Santa Rosa, CA. Rounding out the
title bouts will be Bobby Barns Santa Rosa, CA and Derrick Burnsed
of Roseville, CA fighting for the vacant IKF
Amateur California IR Super Middleweight Title.
The undercard will feature 12 amateur bouts which will include 10 men's bouts and 2 women's bouts. For more info on the event please contact Mr. Tim Stell at (707) 290-8102 or Mr. Dan Stell at (707) 372-0882 or by e-mail at Bambamstell@aol.com
MORE NEWS OF 4-25-03
|
|
|
Sullivan
Ready For
Fonnest Vs Baron
II!
IKF Wisconsin, USA: IKF Promoter Tom Sullivan is Ready to Rumble
this Saturday night in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA! Sullivan will feature
an exciting night of both Pro and Amateur Kickboxing.
The Main event will feature a rematch of the 1999 IKF USA Amateur FCR Super Lightweight National Title. That year, Heath Fonnest of Forest Lake Minnesota (Kicking right) and Charles Barron Chicago Illinois met for in the Championship bout and Baron defeated Fonnest by unanimous decision, 30-27, 30-27, 30-27.
This Saturday the two will meet again but this time for a PRO Title as the two battle it out in the quest for the vacant IKF Pro FCR Light Welterweight North Central title. For more info please contact Mr. Tom Sullivan at (218) 310-1064 or by e-mail at sullytk4b@aol.com
MORE NEWS OF 4-25-03
|
|
|
Shush To Make Noise For
IKF And ISCF This Saturday
Night!
Matthew Waller's SFO IX to
bring MMA and FCRKB to Macon, Georgia, USA
This Article was moved up from an Earlier Posting Below
Macon, Georgia, USA: IKF and ISCF promoter, Matthew "Mr. Shush"
Waller, (Right) has an exciting array of mixed martial arts and
full contact rules kickboxing action in store for his Middle Georgia audience at
his
Submission Fighting Open IX, set for this
Saturday night, April 26 in Macon, Georgia. In fact, Waller, who has
been primarily known for his MMA productions, is setting off into some new
territory, PRO Kickboxing bouts.
"You cannot ignore the numbers and crowd response," says Waller, "The Selbee versus Hudson fight taught me a lot. As an old tang soo do guy myself, I realized that it was in my best interests to start putting on some American rules kickboxing bouts to broaden my audience base and bring in people who thought that kickboxing ceased to exist once the PKA left ESPN in the 1980's."
Waller has aggressively moved in that direction, putting on three (3) Professional IKF full contact rules bouts on his card, that is also scheduled to feature several amateur kickboxing bouts and ISCF amateur bouts. A slight venue change did not slow Waller down at all. "We are now in Club Southbeach, and will have a great show there," commented Waller. "I had some problems unexpectedly come up with the first place and was worried. Then, Mike Carlson (IKF & ISCF World Team Member), as always, gave me some great guidance. From there, I went to his friend and attorney "Bad" Johnny Markwalter, who worked things out so that we could get into a new location smoothly. Once again, the Augusta crowd selflessly came though for us BIG TIME!"
The number of professional full contact kickboxing bouts has outstripped what any promoter has done in recent memory. True to form, Waller is bashful about taking personal credit for the effort, "We have great fight camps and athletes and the most active scene here in the country," says Waller, "That is a credit to the team the IKF and ISCF has put together."
IKF and
ISCF
World President, Steve Fossum is enthusiastic about Waller's
decision to diversify as well. "Anytime you can offer your fans more
action it's a plus for the promoters and anytime you can offer pro fighters an
opportunity in our sport it's a plus for everyone." Says Fossum.
"We have some great amateur fighters out there but there is not much
incentive for them to turn pro. It comes down to the bottom line, the promoters
of our sport NEED TO MAKE MONEY, or why promote? When the promoter does well,
the sport does well which means more opportunity for fighters. I am very pleased
that Matthew will have "PRO" Kickboxing on his event. I can't
think of one pro fighter out there that can honestly say, 'I'm busy enough
fighting.' Promoting pro kickboxing in some states is very expensive so when the
opportunity presents
itself as it did for Matthew,
it's better for all those in pro kickboxing. This gives the amateurs something
to look forward to, otherwise, what's the incentive to turn pro?
Featured bouts will include IKF World Rated professional kickboxer, Joshua "Hollywood" Hancock making his much anticipated return to professional kickboxing against Carl Self, from the Ren Halverson camp in coastal Georgia. Southeastern favorite Clint "Wildman" Wiggins is also scheduled to see action in a professional kickboxing bout against Chris Shore.
SFO IX will be held at Club Southbeach, with matches starting at 6:00. From I-75 South, take exit 171 ( Riverside Drive exit) and make a left, go under the bridge and make the turn right just before you get to the gas station, Jocks N Jills will be on your right and the venue is straight to the left . Waller says that fans should keep an eye on the IKF and ISCF news pages for updates, as well as his Georgia Fight Scene web page. The projected SFO IX card is set forth below. For more information, contact Mr. Waller at Gauntletprods@cox.net or (478) 475-1092. Here's the nights fight card as of today.
ISCF
Mixed Martial Arts
THURSDAY, April 24th, 2003, AT 3:00 PM, PST
Tonight Starts A LOAD Of IKF & ISCF Action!
Starting tonight in Sandy, City Utah, USA will be the first of "SIX" IKF sanctioned events around North America. Three of them including tonights event will include ISCF (MMA) Sanctioned action as well. This will be one of the busiest weekends for IKF and ISCF of the year. Here's a quick breakdown of the weeks action with more reports to follow tomorrow!
MORE NEWS OF 4-24-03
|
|
|
Ultimate Battle Night
TONIGHT
In UTAH
USA!
IKF and ISCF Promoter Mr. Griffin Reynaud is all
set to hosts tonights, April 24th IKF and
ISCF
Action at "Sandy Station" in
Sandy Utah. The event will feature both IKF
and ISCF
Amateur bouts. Sandy Station is located at
8925 South - 255 West, Sandy Utah, USA
The nights
ISCF
Event Representative will be Mr. Andrew Poulos and the nights IKF Event Representative will be Mr. Kwame
Stephens. The
ISCF
Event Referee will be Mr. Steve Gomm and the IKF
Event Referee will be Mr. Drew Poulos. The nights judges include,
Extreme Challenge Middleweight Champion, Jennifer Howe along with
Chris
Kluge and Brandon Cornaby. For tickets call: (801) 352-8032. For
fighter info call (801) 273-0772.
Heres a rundown on
Tonights
ACTION!
Louis Florez, 0-0, Vs. Chris Rossiter, 0-0.
Jack
Avery, 3-3, Vs. Dustin Dearing, 0-0.
Nate Veldhouse,
0-1, Vs.Travis John D-Addabbo, 0-0.
Dan George, 0-0, Vs.
Jaren Cobar, 0-0.
Mickee Porrit, 5-0, Vs. Benjamin
Harold Moore, 4-2.
For More Fight
Info Go To
www.northstarnetworks.net
MORE NEWS OF
4-24-03
|
|
|
Fighters Needed In
IOWA USA!
IKF Iowa, USA: IKF
Promoter Mick Doyle is asking for some fighters to add to his upcoming
May 30th event at Harrah's Casino in Council Bluffs Iowa. Doyle
and his Promotional Team are looking for fighters in all 3 main rule styles,
MuayThai, International and Full Contact Rules.
This is an all amateur event and interested fighters and or trainers may contact Mr. Doyle by e-mail at Thaiboxusa@cox.net or they can visit the events page on Mr. Doyle's web page at www.mickdoyle.com to contact him through it.
The location of Doyle's event is the same location the IKF and Doyle's promotional team hosted the very first and second IKF USA National Amateur Championships, 1999 and 2000. However at that time the Casino was named Harveys and not Harrahs.
WEDNESDAY, April 23rd, 2003, AT 6:55 PM, PST
|
|
|
Deputy Usry
To Patrol Ring
In Pro Kickboxing Debut
Columbia County Deputy
Hopes To Enforce Quick Justice On April 26 In Macon
Macon, Georgia, USA: Night after
night, Columbia County Sheriff's Office Deputy Scott "The Enforcer"
Usry (Right) patrols the roads of his community, putting his own
life on the line in the battle against crime. On Saturday, April 26, 2003, in
Macon, Georgia, he will step into the ring for a pro kickboxing match, in hopes
that he can maintain order and secure custody over a win, rather than a suspect.
"I have been in law enforcement for five years" says Usry, "And being a martial artist has certainly helped in my awareness of danger and confidence that I can protect the citizens that I am sworn to watch over." This Saturday, however, Usry will have to be careful with his personal safety, as he heads into a five round professional cruiserweight kickboxing match against Michael Dupriest. "Even though this is my first pro fight," states Usry, "I have a lot of amateur experience and have trained hard. I am looking forward to the opportunity." Usry trains at the Augusta Martial Arts Academy in Martinez, Georgia.
His longtime trainer, Mike Carlson, is confident in his fighter's chances, "Scott is a friend first and a fighter and student second," says Carlson, "We have wanted to get him moving as a professional for some time. The Macon fight gave us as a team an outstanding chance to do just that." Usry will be joining local stablemate Clint "Wildman" Wiggins, who also has a professional kickboxing bout on Saturdays' card. Usry and Wiggins' bouts will be part of an event entitled Submission Fighting Open IX, which will be held at Club Southbeach, with matches starting at 6:00 PM, and will feature IKF kickboxing and ISCF mixed martial arts matches. For more information, contact Mr. Waller at Gauntletprods@cox.net or (478) 475-1092.
MORE NEWS OF 4-23-03
POSTED AT 2:20 PM, PST
Although It's Not Kickboxing News, It was such a surprise, we thought we'd post it...
|
|
|
Boxer Mike Tyson
Will
Get California License!
Los Angeles, (AP): Mike Tyson (Right
after he KO'ed Clifford Etienne in 49 seconds this last February in Memphis,
Tennessee) won't have to worry about being licensed to box in California,
paving the way for a fight card June 21 at the Staples Center (Los Angeles)
that also will feature heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis. California
boxing officials agreed in an informal poll Monday not to require a hearing for
Tyson to be licensed for a fight against Oleg Maskaev. Lewis
will top the card in a title fight, probably against Canadian Kirk Johnson,
though it's still possible that top contender Vitali Klitschko will be
the opponent.
Lewis missed a deadline last week set by the World Boxing Council (WBC) to clarify his plans to fight Klitschko or risk being stripped of his title. But negotiations are ongoing to allow him to fight Johnson.
The deal was completed Monday by the California State Athletic Commission. Rob Lynch, executive director of the California State Athletic Commission, said commissioners agreed in the "informal poll" to grant former champion Tyson a license "without a hearing" if he passes ordinary medical tests. No further vote will be required, said Van Gordon Sauter, chairman of the commission.
There were negotiations last week for Lewis and Tyson to appear on the same card in New Jersey, but the state's governor said Tyson would not be licensed there. The fight card is part of an intricate deal being worked out among attorneys for Tyson and Lewis and the cable networks HBO and Showtime that would include a possible rematch between the fighters sometime next year. Tyson and Lewis were supposed to meet in a rematch in June, but Tyson said he wasn't ready to fight.
Questioning The
California State
Athletic Commission?
While other States like Nevada
said "NO" to Tyson, why did California say "Yes?"
Who knows, but it's not the first time the California
State Athletic Commission has made some surprising decisions. In March of
this year, Tonya Harding and Paula Jones were scheduled to fight
in the Fox, Celebrity Boxing bout. Did they need a license? "NO!" (We
confirmed this with a call to the California
State Athletic Commission today. They are not licensed as an amateur or a
pro) Fox hosted the Harding-Jones fight in California, where the
California State Athletic Commission
ruled the match "strictly entertainment, not real boxing" and didn't
require the other participants on the card, who include also The Partridge
Family's Danny Bonaduce and The Brady Bunch's Barry
Williams, to get licenses. Some of the celebs might not have qualified for
licenses. For $60 per applicant, the California
State Athletic Commission does neurological tests, physical exams, and blood
work. It also demands that anyone who hasn't boxed professionally before prove
that she is capable of fighting, either with an amateur fight record or a
sparring session performance. So does this give boxing, kickboxing and even MMA
Promoters a "GREEN LIGHT" to
promote events in California as long as they use "Celebrities" in the
bouts? The jury is still out.
TUESDAY, April 22nd, 2003, AT 10:00 AM, PST
|
|
|
"Hollywood
Hancock"
To Return To Original Starring Role!
World
Rated Kickboxer To Launch FCR Comeback In Macon, Georgia On 4/26/03
Macon, Georgia, USA:
Joshua "Hollywood" Hancock (Right) will make
his much anticipated return to professional full contact rules kickboxing as
part of SFO IX, a joint IKF and ISCF sanctioned event to be held at Club Southbeach, in Macon, Georgia, USA this
Saturday, April 26, 2003, beginning at 6:PM. Hancock of Harlem, Georgia
brings a record of 11 wins with 2 loses and 6 of his wins coming by TKO/KO to
the ring. In his way of making a successful comeback is Brunswick, Georgia's
Carl Self. The two will fight in a five round, IKF
sanctioned professional match in the cruiserweight division.
Although he's been out of the kickboxing ring it is not like Hancock (who is ranked number 5 in the IKF Pro Cruiserweight div
